====== Questions and Answers ======

====== How much will it cost? ======

Fees for the course--beyond regular tuition--are $600, which includes accommodation and meals, but does not cover travel. Important: Students must pay the full course fees //at least two weeks// before the start of the retreat. Payments should be arranged with the IntSci office, LSK 466 (cash or cheques only). Cheques should be made payable to "Integrated Sciences - UBC". **Your Name and Student number must be somewhere on the cheque.** Words from our program assistant:

<div round info>NO interac/debit, no credit cards, no cows, no gold, no small children, no eggs, and no parcels of land. Anyone who doesn't have a chequing account can take their cash to [[http://www.ams.ubc.ca/businesses/the-outpost/ | The Outpost]] (in the SUB) and buy a [[https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGmoneyord-e.asp | postal money order]]. </div>

====== Where are we going? ======

We will stay at [[http://www.copperdomelodge.com/ | Copperdome Lodge]] in Pemberton. We hope the beautiful surroundings will help you focus and inspire you to think about nature!

Here's some useful information from the owners of Copperdome Lodge:
<div round info>
  * Cell phone reception can be somewhat patchy in the valley.
  * The lodge telephone number for guest use is for local calls only. 604.894.1188. Copperdome has two phones for use [kitchen & library]. Please use long distance telephone credit cards if you need to place long distance calls.
  * Pemberton Village has all the necessary grocery and convenience stores available for you. There is a liquor store in the Village as well as a cold beer and wine store in the Pemberton Hotel. If you'd like to bring ice, there is a large cooler ready for you in the pantry for your beverages. Feel free to take it outside. Enjoy!
  * Tap water is completely potable. Copperdome has a complete water treatment system which we were fortunate to get an award for a few years ago.
  * Copperdome is a non-smoking facility. If someone must light up, please do so on the gravel driveway well away from any barns, buildings, etc.
  * If sporting equipment is brought to the lodge [ie. golf clubs, etc.], please keep it outside of the lodge by the workshop or in the old schoolhouse which can be locked at night.
  * Pemberton is bear country, please do not leave food or garbage outside. Many thanks!
  * Multimedia equipment is available in the old schoolhouse for your enjoyment. There is DVD plus projection screen, CD player, satellite TV plus directions on how to use the systems.
</div>

====== How do we get there? ======

We'll carpool to the lodge. From the [[http://www.copperdomelodge.com/valley-map/ | Copperdome Lodge website]]:

<div round info>
“For those with a GPS, our location is: N 50 Deg 26.484' and W 122 Deg 54.773'
  * Travel north on Highway 99. Pass through Squamish and Whistler Resort and continue to the Village of Pemberton.
  * Driving Distance to Pemberton: 100 miles or 161 kilometers north of Vancouver. Driving Time to Pemberton: Approximately 2 1/2 hours.
  * As you approach Pemberton, turn left at the stop-lights (the only ones in town!) and proceed into the Village. Turn left at the traffic circle and cross the railway tracks.
  * At the next intersection (next to the Pemberton Valley Supermarket) turn right. You Are now on the Pemberton Meadows Road. Drive about 2 kilometers until you reach a "T" junction and turn left. Follow Pemberton Meadows Road for another 14.9 kilometers - Copperdome Lodge is on the left hand side [8751 Pemberton Meadows Road].”
</div>

<div noprint>[[https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=UBC&daddr=Sea-to-Sky+Hwy+to:Whistler+to:Pemberton,+Squamish-Lillooet+Regional+District,+British+Columbia+to:Pemberton+Meadows+Rd&hl=en&sll=49.884017,-122.947998&sspn=1.5485,3.702393&geocode=Fe647wId8FCn-CHzoipz59SdxykDHtQvzHKGVDHzoipz59Sdxw%3BFUZu9gIdSPOo-A%3BFbCy_AId1sqr-Cmf-L-FYzuHVDE1-1siPHlLvw%3BFWza_wIdxiSu-Ck1oD9GojWHVDGy0zO5fmD5RA%3BFT-tAQMdQ4Gs-A&mra=ls&t=m&z=9 | Link to map.]]</div>

Contact our volunteer carpool coordinator, <span round help>Volunteer needed</span>, if you have an available seat or need a ride.

====== What do I need to bring? ======

You can expect [[http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-16_metric_e.html | warm days (20+ C) but cold nights (around freezing)]] so bring lots of layers. The following list covers the essential equipment:

    * A pen and paper,
    * A laptop computer and flash drive,
    * An alarm clock,
    * Towels and toiletries,
    * Slippers [no outdoor shoes allowed in the lodge],
    * A flashlight,
    * Cold weather clothing and hiking boots (for fun),
    * Sunglasses, a hat, & sunscreen,
    * A swimsuit? (maybe for the day off),
    * Entertainment (frisbee, balls, musical instruments, etc.), and
    * Snacks and beverages if desired outside normal meals.

====== Will I get my own bedroom? ======

No. 2-3 students will be sharing a bedroom. Each bedroom has a bunkbed (double on bottom, single on top) complete with bedding (sheets, pillows, & duvets).

====== Where do we get supplies? ======

Meals will be provided. Vegetarian diets—up to but not including [[http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Simpsons/Season_12#Lisa_the_Tree_Hugger_.5B12.04.5D | level 5 vegans]]—and food allergies can be accommodated if you let us know in advance. For any other supplies the towns of [[http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=UBC&daddr=Squamish+to:Whistler+to:Pemberton,+Squamish-Lillooet+Regional+District,+British+Columbia+to:Copperdome+Lodge+%4050.436079,-122.910748&geocode=FevA7wIdlGSn-CmDHb_KzXKGVDEQWXsqFTUBDw%3BFSRW9gIdUdOo-Cm5uPLKFfiGVDHavvz87UKl5Q%3BFbCy_AId1sqr-Cmf-L-FYzuHVDE1-1siPHlLvw%3BFSfK_wId9Tuu-Ck1oD9GojWHVDGy0zO5fmD5RA%3BFe-XAQMd5Ies-A&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=49.842955,-123.048713&sspn=1.574603,3.985291&ie=UTF8&ll=49.845068,-123.035889&spn=1.574545,3.985291&t=h&z=9 | Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton]] are on the way from Vancouver. You can stock up at any of them.

====== Do I get to choose my group? ======

There are two groups you will be involved with: your research group and your roommates. You can choose your roommates (you can choose your room when you arrive, [[wp>first-come, first-served]]) but we'll assign the research groups. We hope the bunk groups differ from the research groups so you get to know each other better and share ideas across research groups.

====== I'm graduating. Is that ok? ======

It's fine if you're graduating this May. The grades will be submitted promptly on our return and they will make it into your transcript. Since we introduced the current course format in 2003 no students have been prevented from graduating because of this course.

====== What will the weather be like? ======

The temperature in Pemberton in early May typically ranges from a daily high in the low 20s (C) to around freezing at night. Prepare yourselves by bringing clothes for a variety of conditions. <span noprint>([[http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/cabc0216/table | Forecast]].)</span>

====== Do we get any time off? ======

You will be working most of the time but we will take an afternoon/evening off to relax (see the [[.:schedule]]). We haven't got any plans but it would be good if we could organize some kind of group activity. Any volunteers or ideas?

====== Will there be internet/cell access? ======

No, we've deliberately chosen a place where the cell phone signal and internet access are poor.  It will help you learn to rely on your own knowledge and reasoning instead of looking for external sources of information.  The lodge does have a slow/spotty internet connection for "emergencies" and it has a phone land-line.  Neither may be used without express permission.
